A similar expansion is underway in the UK, where Nissan said October 5 that it would add a further six locations equipped to sell and service the Leaf, taking the total number to 32.

The six new branches, located in Stoke, Glasgow, Hull, Reading, Bristol and London, will also be the first in the UK to install the new rapid chargers unveiled last month in Japan, which are capable of charging the Leaf's battery to 80 percent capacity in under 30 minutes.

The roll-out of the new chargers is expected to begin in early 2012, Nissan UK confirmed.

Nissan is clearly keen to capitalize on the considerable first mover advantage it enjoys with the Leaf, which is among the world's first mass-market electric cars.

In the coming months, the vehicle is expected to face more competition from big names, including Ford, which intends to launch its all-electric Focus by the end of 2011.